A landmark year for mental health

2016 saw a number of initiatives to raise awareness of mental health issues and address the imbalance between physical and mental healthcare provision. Here's a quick recap....

January – government announces new funding.

Prime Minster David Cameron used a speech at the charity, Family Action, to promise almost £1 billion of new money for mental health, including £290 million to provide specialist care for new mums, almost £250 million for mental health services in hospital emergency departments and over £400 million to enable 24/7 mental health treatment in the community. Read our blog here

February – Duchess of Cambridge speaks on children's mental health

To mark Children's Mental Health Week, HRH The Duchess of Cambridge, used a video message to draw attention to the impact of mental health issues on children and young people, urging schools to prioritise the emotional wellbeing of students. Read our blog here.

March – report calls for better access to mental health care

The Commission on Acute Adult Care (CAAPC) made a number of recommendations, including a maximum four-hour waiting time for admission to an acute psychiatric ward and avoiding patients having to travel long distance for treatment. Read our blog here.

May – royal endorsement for mental health project

Princes William and Harry, along with the Duchess of Cambridge, launched the Heads Together project, aimed at encouraging people to talk more freely about mental health issues. Read our blog here.

July – experts highlight value of good parenting

The Better Health for All report by the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) focused on the important role that parenting plays in a child's mental wellbeing, particularly during the early years of their emotional development. Read our blog here.

August – GPs and nurses seek better access for children to mental health treatment

The GPs' magazine Pulse reported that 60% of CAMHS referrals led to no treatment, while the Royal College of Nursing voted to lobby the Government for more CAMHS support services. Read our blog here.

December – an innovative approach to mental health care planning

A continuing care mental health unit in Birmingham introduced a new system of wellbeing reviews and a 'Person-centred Wellbeing Planning Tool' to develop a more patient-focused approach to service delivery. Read our blog here.